Papers of John Adams, volume 21

George Washington to John Adams, 8 January 1794 Washington, George Adams, John

From George Washington

Dear Sir, Wednesday 8th. Jany. 1794.

I would thank you for giving the papers herewith sent a perusal—and for the result of it.—1

I am now deliberating on the measure proper & necessary to be taken with respect to Mr. G——t and wish for aid in so doing; the critical state of things making me more than usually anxious to decide right in the present case.—

None but the heads of departments are privy to these papers, which I pray may be returned this evening or in the morning

With very sincere esteem & regard I am always / Your obedt. & affect Servant

Go: Washington

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Honble. Mr. Adams / Vice President—U. States.”

Seeking his cabinet’s advice, the president sent JA materials pointing to Edmond Charles Genet’s recruitment of troops in the Carolinas and Georgia, part of the French minister’s alleged plan to launch an invasion of Spanish Florida. The enclosures, not found, likely included South Carolina governor William Moultrie’s 7 Dec. 1793 letter to Washington, 247 accompanied by state resolves, affidavits, and Moultrie’s 9 Dec. proclamation denouncing Genet’s efforts. Washington may also have sent Genet’s 25 Dec. denial to Thomas Jefferson that he had formed a military force within U.S. territory. The president transmitted all of these documents to Congress on 15 Jan. 1794 (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 15:50).

Edmund Randolph to John Adams, 16 January 1794 Randolph, Edmund Adams, John

From Edmund Randolph

Philadelphia, January 16. 1794.

Mr. Randolph presents his respectful Compliments to the Vice-President of the United States, and president of the Senate—

In the Communications, made by the President this morning, is an Act of the National Convention of France in the original.1 It’s length prevented an attempt to translate it; as it would occasion too much delay. But if on this or any other occasion when originals are, from the pressure of time, forwarded, it shall be the pleasure of the Senate, that they should be translated, it shall be done with as much expedition, as the course of such business will permit—

The Vice-President will perceive, that this note is not of consequence enough to be laid before the Senate; but is wished to be made known to the Members informally—

RC (Adams Papers).

For the enclosures related to Edmond Charles Genet, see George Washington’s 8 Jan. letter, and note 1, above. Washington also sent a copy of the French National Convention’s decree of 23 May 1793, which exempted U.S. ships from its 9 May decree authorizing the seizure of neutral vessels “bound to an enemy’s port, or having on board merchandise belonging to an enemy.” The terms of the 9 May legislation had contravened Art. 16 of the 1778 Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce (vol. 7:index; Amer. State Papers , Foreign Relations, 1:244; Annals of Congress , 3d Cong., 1st sess., p. 31).

John Trumbull to John Adams, 16 January 1794 Trumbull, John Adams, John

From John Trumbull

Dear Sir Hartford Jany. 16th. 1794.

I returned to this place on the same day You left it, & was extremely disappointed to find You had passed thro’ on your journey to Philadelphia—as I had supposed it probable You would not set out so early from home.1 I intended to visit my Friends at Boston & Braintree last summer—but about the time I had calculated for the journey, the Smallpox broke out in my neighbourhood, my family had been exposed, & I was obliged to send them all into the Hospital. They had the disorder favorably, & after they returned home, I carried Mrs. Trumbull to visit her friends at Newhaven, with a view to the reestablishment of her health, as well as my own.2 I have been 248 travelling round the country almost all the summer, & have rid at least a thousand miles since the first of last May; but I can only say that my health is rather better than worse.

I know not what to say on our present political situation. Every thing seems in suspense— Yet I see no reason for despondency. The madness of Genet has united all parties in favor of neutrality, & in a great measure silenced the declamation of our Demagogues. Britain certainly does not wish for a war with America, and France has no reasonable ground of quarrel. And tho’ Newton himself, could not calculate the movements of the French Government, which neither proceeds in a right line, nor in any known mathematical Curve, yet I cannot believe they will declare War, against us, unless they mean to engage in a Crusade against all mankind. Should they be so mad, the principal injury they could do us, would be by obstructing our commerce with their privateers. The Indian campaign has terminated as favorably as could be expected. wayne has protected the frontiers by keeping the Indians at bay; he has not ventured a battle with them in the remote woods, & of consequence has not lost one.3 I perceive the question, whether Committees of Congress shall devise ways & means, or call on Mr. Hamilton for Reports on the Subject, has been brought again on the Carpet, & that the Parties were nearly balanced. What will be the issue of that contest?

I am Sir with the greatest Respect / Your most Obedt. Servt.

John Trumbull

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “John Adams Esqr / Vice President of the United / States. / Philadelphia.”; endorsed: “John Trumbull / January th 16 1794.”

JA departed Quincy 21 Nov. 1793 and reached Philadelphia nine days later, after a brief stop in New York City ( AFC , 9:454, 457, 510).

Sarah Hubbard (1758–1835), of New Haven, married Trumbull in 1776 (Sue Imogene Silliman, Michigan Military Records: The D. A. R. of Michigan Historical Collections, Lansing, Mich., 1920, p. 75–76; Dexter, Yale Graduates , 3:252).

U.S. general Anthony Wayne’s Ohio campaign had forged ahead throughout the fall of 1793. Rumored victories against the Miamis led to misleading reports in the press, such as this one, and caused many, like AA, to reflect on the nation’s military strength: “Tis a great point gaind to keep the Feild against them I hope they will now be convinced that we have men enough to fight them” ( AFC , 9:458).